Hockey History

Hamilton pioneered use of radio broadcasts for hockey games

In our present media-saturated world, there was a time when experiencing a sporting event such as a hockey game meant sitting in a cold arena in person.

No television. No radio. No podcast.

Just a newspaper account of the game in the next day’s paper.

But in the early 1920s, a new medium known as radio was taking shape, and sporting events were naturals for the new technology, along with music, newscasts, and talk shows.

Hamilton had several hockey teams in the earlier part of the 20th century where train travel was necessary to play its rivals. In 1924, the amateur Hamilton Tigers were battling with the Soo Greyhounds in OHA competition in Toronto, and for those who could not take the train trip to Toronto for the games, one could listen to the game for a mere 25 cents.

Situated on Merrick Street, the Savoy Theater played host to these special broadcasts of the games, especially one in March of 1924, which was an early benefit concert for Johnny Brackenborough, a Tiger player who lost an eye in a game just two weeks previous.

Along with listening to the game, which was aired over the 50-watt CHCS radio station with the help of radio pioneer Herb Slack, who started Hamilton’s CKOC Radio in 1922, patrons were recipients of a music and picture program along with a grand organ recital.
While there is no mention how many of the 1300 seats at the Savoy were taken for the benefit, all proceeds when to the stricken Brackenborough.

CHCS Radio was in business for a short time in the 1920s and 1930s. It was a local station which leased time from CKOC. The hockey games were delivered by someone at the game, and transmitting the game through long-distance telephone to the broadcast station. The Savoy, built in the early 1900s, provided legitimate theater and then cinematic entertainment until demolished with the rest of the area to make way for the new Jackson Square.

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